Thousands again protest Xstrata Nickel’s planned mine

La Vega, Dominican Republic.- Thousands of people gathered Saturday afternoon at the entrance to the Xstrata Nickel Falcondo’s mining project at La Vega province, backing up traffic for miles on the Duarte highway’s southbound lanes.

Protesters walked nearly 20 kilometers from different towns to demand that the Government ban mining at Loma Miranda, during the protest headed La Vega diocese bishop Antonio Camilo, who officiated a mass in which he request a stop to the Canadian company’s planned exploitation.

Among the protesters figured religious, community leaders and environmentalists, who gathered at the site in protest for the third time this year.